Fun gifts

Today a package from the Williams arrived. It was filled with fun. I loved what Julie gave me, it said: "To prego lady, for all your cravings!", and it was a bag of delicious Ghirardelli Chocolate. How did she know that I just ran out of the bag of Hershey's Kisses I had been working on? It just isn't a day without some form of chocolate.
The girls loved their gifts and David loved his NC State shirt.
Thanks guys for loving on us like this!!! We miss you.




Sophia really misses her cousins, she loved that this was from Anna, and she loved the cards they made too.


David having great fun showing Bella how to 'fish' with the 'Melissa and Doug' fishing puzzle, the girls played with this all afternoon.



And of course I had to share some chocolate, the 'sixlets' chocolate was enjoyed by both Sophia and I, but Bella wouldn't try it (she was in quite the mood after her nap, see below)


Eventually Bella got out of her funk and enjoyed the game, I love this pic.

Christmas afternoon in the village

Abby's wedding day. Yes, on Christmas. This was a day mixed with emotion, but in the end we were very glad we went. Though up until the very last day we were telling her she could (and should) change her mind (she obviously did not), we still wanted to display enduring love to her and so we participated in her wedding. It was great to see old friends that we don't see much, and to just be in the village on Christmas gave us a great perspective of the Christmas message.


Abby all dressed up in her typical minority wedding attire.


We had some friends ride with us. It was no small feat getting to this wedding. Her village is OUT there. It took about an hour and a half, which was pretty fast. Windy roads, then VERY bumpy ones. Bella got car sick on the way there and back. Thankfully I was holding an appropriate container each time (I was better prepared on the way back).


Sophia wanted Abby to hang out with us the whole time, and of course she could not.


This is a cousin of Abby, and our new helper, who is really great! We were able to meet her mom and some other relatives.


Bella loves to play with stools


we went to visit another friends house and on the way saw the communist flag flying high. This must be the Village Head's house, and it was.


getting ready to eat





getting ready to leave. Sad goodbyes.



This really was a great way to spend Christmas. Out seemingly in the middle of nowhere, people going about their lives, farming, harvesting the sugar cane, a simple (meaning not crowded by outside influence), but very difficult life. Perspective. The baby in a manger came in such simplicity and humility, to change the world, to save the world, to bring Peace. And the world is still completely unaware, and ashamedly sometimes I am too...
More reflection should be had...but not here.
We were blessed this Christmas by being with people we love.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning started with a candlelight breakfast of biscuits, bacon, and eggs, all a special special treat.

After breakfast we spent a while in worship of the newborn king, we sang songs, read from Luke 2, prayed and thanked God for sending His Son. This was a sweet time.

Next, we distracted Sophia by letting her help me wash the dishes. David, meanwhile set up the girls' gift in their bedroom. We got them the Ikea Kid's kitchen. We ordered this off of TaoBao (Chinese Amazon), I was going to have one made but it cost twice as much and definitely would have been less quality. We were very impressed with the quality and look. David put it all together a few days prior. The shipping (and it was heavy), was less than ten dollars! We do not regret this decision.

Sophia was very surprised. Bella took it all in stride (in fact she had seen daddy put it together).


we set up the flip video to catch her response.


looking back at me with a pleased grin.


Joy Joy.



like every proper lady in the kitchen she dons new earrings (clip-ons), and a big ring (gifts from Poppy and CC)


These matching aprons came from Aunt Julie and crew for the girls' birthdays, so precious.
Our Christmas was wonderful: simple, worshipful, and fun.

Christmas Eve

Bella dons a new hat and goes on a LONG bike ride with mommy to deliver homemade goodies to local friends. It was so foggy we could barely see ten feet in front of us. I (Mommy) was so tired from this little adventure (it was more uphill and a lot longer than I expected), that I took a two hour nap in the afternoon.


On Christmas Eve we went with the JACK family to another friend's house to visit with her and her two girls. We have done this a few years now and always enjoy the time together. Sophia adores her two girls, who are ten, and five respectively, they are so sweet to enjoy playing with a three year old. We enjoyed a Chinese meal for dinner and talked and played, drank tea, ate dessert, sweet fellowship.

More advent celebrations and gifts

12.21-23.2010


Singing songs of praise to the newborn king


Putting the next thing on the calendar.


warm pjs from Poppy and CC


We got out the girls tent for some fun play...


Sophia got a rod and reel with magnetic fish from Abby, it is already broken.


stamps from Poppy and CC


A talking phone, Bella loves this


working on her stamping.

'Gg' week

Last week ended with Sophia throwing up. This week started with her having diarrhea. She went to school on Monday but not today or yesterday. We think she is on the mend. We are very thankful that a.) these two sicknesses did not happen at the same time (misery) and b.) this is the first time (except maybe as a baby in diapers) she has ever had diarrhea, seriously, it has to be some kind of record around here! She seems to be doing better today.

We have been doing preschool stuff in the morning while she has been at home and this week is 'G' week. All along I have been promoting it as 'gum' week until I realized it ended on Christmas eve, so now it is 'gum' and 'gift' week. She uses her gum pieces to do the counting, etc. and usually gets to eat a piece as well. Last night we did one gift each, and it so perfectly happened that Poppy and CC got her the book 'The Big Green Pocketbook' so this was added to our daily read-alouds.


Graphing with gum (and chewing it too).


Bella played her own little game of hide and seek while we did our 'Gg' activities.


This looks like a mugshot.

Nativity Play

Our friend put together a little Christmas play for the kids to participate in, with costumes and all. K did a great job of putting this all together, it was really fun.


before the play started, our little sheep was shy. At home she says 'Baa' on cue, but not on stage.


'Mary' was shy too, and her two lines, which she knew really well, were barely heard, but it was fun. She did great.


getting ready for the play



'break a leg' Daddy says and then explains EXACTLY what he means by it.


Sweet Joseph and Mary in the stable with baby Jesus


A Shepherd and her sheep


A host of angels appear to the Shepherds


Shepherds leading their little flock


Little precious lambs


Joseph and Mary with their new baby



Here come the three wise men


The three wise men bring baby Jesus gifts, "Mary" neatly stacks them next to the manger.

Our first attempt at a Christmas family photo. Girls were uncooperative, this actually ended in a serious discipline session. Oops.